The Clippers, who have the seventh pick of the upcoming NBA draft, are looking for one, and after seeing Arizona guard Jerryd Bayless over the weekend they held their first mass workout on Tuesday.

The big collegiate names who attended were guards Russell Westbrook of UCLA, Chase Budinger of Arizona and forward Anthony Randolph of Louisiana State. Prospects on hand expected to go later in the draft were Malik Hairston, J. Gordon and Justin Hawkins.

Coach Mike Dunleavy said that the Clippers would entertain offers to move up in the draft and that the Miami Heat may shop the second overall selection.

If the Clippers stand pat, they figure to choose among D.J. Augustin, who is short but considered the top pure point guard in the draft, Indiana's Eric Gordon and Westbrook. Bayless is expected to be taken by the time the Clippers pick, as is USC guard O.J. Mayo.

Clipperblog reiterates its belief that, despite Augustin's affinity for breaking down Steve Nash game tape, he's not suited to the pro game. When Kansas' zone befuddles you both as a scorer and a distributor, when you can't fight through a Big-12 screen, there's just not that much opportunity at the next level. Having Augustin at the point and Thornton at the 3 would also force the Clippers' hand defensively at the off-guard. I know, I know. Orlando manages to do it with Jameer Nelson with Hedo Turkoglu at the small forward -- but the Clippers can't afford to give a defender like Keith Bogans [or Quinton Ross] substantial time at the 2 because they don't have a coherent offensive scheme right now.

To be sure, you'll read all sorts of affable pre-draft interviews with Augustin over the next few weeks. Invariably, they will include quotes from Augustin saying things like "People say I'm too small to play at the next level, but I think heart counts for more than size..." That's a nice sentiment. But you can appreciate Augustin's collegiate game and oversized cardiac muscle and still recognize that there's a chasm of difference between Chris Paul and Damon Stoudamire [that's optimistic].

The Clippers achieved some measure of success a couple seasons ago with big guard play. And so long as they remain a below-average passing team [but a roster with some good one-on-one isolators/post players], that's the path of least resistance back to respectability. Better to have a larger combo guard with good judgment [Westbrook] than a undersized PG with questionable decision-making skills.

Posted Wednesday, October 29 at 3:20PM

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You idiot little kid. If you are going to correct someone's usage you better by right or you just expose yourself as the fool that you are. Look it up bozo. The phrase I used, "for all intents and purposes," is correct. It's not a cliche and you couldn't even copy it correctly. I have no idea where you got your phrase from. You were foisted by your own petard - did you graduate from 6th grade yet? Jackass.

Mayo may have serious character issues. He may be a blatant liar too. I wouldn't want him on my team until he comes clean. We'll have to disagree on this one Jax, but it is likely a moot point because the Knicks are going to take him at 6 and they will groom him for success.

Right here... ok so shoot me... it's not like i called him an a-hole or anything... but i did learn something today..
Love you guys too

Here goes:

Intents and Purposes
The correct phrase is "to all intents and purposes." This phrase dates back to the 1500s and originated in English law, where it was "to all intents, constructions, and purposes." In modern usage, "for all intents and purposes" is also acceptable. The phrase means "for all practical purposes" and is generally used to compare two nonidentical acts or deeds, i.e., "She went to his room and drank with him, which he viewed &#65533; for all intents and purposes &#65533; as consent to sex." A shorter equivalent phrase is "in effect."

When used in a strictly legal sense, the wording would be "intent and purposes," as it refers to one's mental attitude/state at the time said action occurred.

A common malapropism is "for all intense and purposes" &#65533; (also, "for all intensive purposes") a result of the original phrase being misheard and repeated. The word "intense" is used here incorrectly; "intense" is used in English to indicate a degree of intensity, i.e., "As the afternoon passed, the fire grew more intense."

A misuse of the phrase "intents and purposes", meaning "reasons and motivations". Ironically, when an uneducated person wants to seem articulate, they often butcher common phrases, thereby revealing their airheadedness.

Mike, I disagree with the character issue thing. I'm a huge UCLA homer, but it is ridiculous for the NBA and the NCAA to force people who have assets to sell such as Mayo, who have no intention to go to college, to go to college for a semester anyway simply because it saves the NCAA some money. There's nothing whatsoever illegal about what Mayo did. He's not wealthy. He's not a rocket scientist. Why shouldn't he be allowed to make money?

Nikola Dragovic of UCLA was banned for 10 games last year because he played on a team in Serbia where other players were paid. This despite the fact that there is no university sports system in Serbia.

The whole amateur-athlete thing is a joke and it's time that athletes can make money when they want to, on their terms, just like anyone else.

Jax, I don't disagree with you on the NCAA one year rule. I do, however, disagree with you about character. The rules are the rules -right or wrong. Mayo has to abide by them just like everyone else. Apparently, and I say apparently, he didn't. And then, to make matters worse, he apparently lied about it. To me, lying about taking money in these circumstances is worse than the taking of the money. I have no use for liars and being a liar does speak volumes as to character, I think all will agree with that.

If you don't like the rules, you work to change them, you don't just ignore them. That is chaos. It was hardly a burden on Mayo to play by the rules for one year even if the rules are wrongheaded. He couldn't even do that, apparently.

It's very easy to make a blanket statement that "the rules are the rules" without actually analyzing what the rules are, whether they are fair, the motivations behind them, etc.

First, who says you have to play by the rules? These aren't laws or even ethical norms. You don't have to play by these types of rules if you don't want to. You just have to accept the consequences for not doing so. Mayo's done nothing ethically, legally or morally wrong here, assuming that he didn't follow the so-called "rules."

I remember when I was at UCLA in the 1980s. Many football players had their tests filled out when they came into class to take tests. Do they have bad character? Is the school complicit? I don't know. But I can tell you that I never looked to athletes to validate my views on "character."

Second, the rule here was put in place to save the NBA nnd its wealthy owners some money. Are you really surprised that a number of talented kids, mostly from poor backgrounds, are having issues with the rules? Should they really be seen as pariahs because they didn't follow such rules? in that regard, why is it your business to sit and judge these guys? How would you like it if we followed you around and started judging everything you did. I suspect that we could find something . . .

Third, we don't know if Mayo played by the so-called rules or not. We also don't know what types of role models that he had growing up or really anything about him. As I understand it, he didn't have very much. You're holding him up to a pretty high standard, something that he might not be able to attain. We do know that he's been coddled since he was in the 7th grade solely because of his talent, and probably never faced many consequences for the decisions he made. Who's fault is that? His? Society's? We've made Mayo into an untouchable star and then when he (apparently) continues to do what he's been doing for years, we're suddenly going to sit in judgment of this 20 year old like we're so much more moral than he is? Come on.

Finally, this is basketball. These guys are entertainers, not necessarily leaders or role models. Why you would be looking to basketball players to be "character" role models is beyond me.

When you take a scholarship or even take a roster spot on a college team you agree to play by the rules, Jax. I know. It is against ethical and moral norms to take money when you've agreed not to - at least is against my ethical and moral norms.

And, what about the consequences to USC, who gave him a free education for a year. What about the fact that their program may very well have to suffer because of his actions?

Mike, spare me the absolutist morality lesson. However, since you brought it up, your analysis is misplaced. In point of fact, it is absolutely NOT against any legal, ethical or moral norms whatsoever to breach a contract, which is all that Mayo has been accused of doing here. Stated another way, Mayo's conduct would not be considered "wrongful" undre the law. He may owe damages, or restitution, of the money paid in furtherance of his scholarship, but that's it.

I am curious, however, about some of your statements. Is it against your ethical and moral norms to set up a system that prevents children and young adults from earning a living? Is it against your ethical and moral norms to set up a system which disproportionately harms poor and underprivileged kids and young adults?

I would like to see what Mayo's contract says, exactly, before I would conclude that he has breached it. I guess you've already come to that conclusion.

As I understand it, the allegation is that a sports agent was essentially investing in the possible future relationship by giving money to someone who looks after Mayo and Mayo indirectly received some benefits from that.

I would say that it is ridiculous for the NCAA to force its member institutions to police their scholarship athletes' every move.

I am not saying that they have bad character. I am saying that it is irrelevant to the issue of whether the kid can play on a professional sports team or whether I would support the team if he did.

For the record..I also think Mayo is going to be a great pro. His jumper is so smooth and already has NBA 3 range, has great instincts for the ball and can beat you with his shot or by going to the rim.. and Mayo was by far the best player on the court when USC played UCLA at the Pac 10 tourney. His numbers weren't particularly good but he was definitely the best player on the court.

That being said, the Clips have basically no shot at getting him save something crazy happening. An EB sign and trade with Miami is within the realm of the possibility as EB has already signed an offer sheet there once, and he can go there again without the Clips being able to match this Summer. Of course, the Clips can pay EB more $$ thus a sign and trade is possible. Although that's basically armageddon for the Clips, if the Clips were to get Miami's pick and still keep the 7, they'd at least have some sort of a story to tell us paying customers about them doing what they could to improve the team. This scenerio would only be applicable if David Falk tells the Clips that EB will definitely be leaving so why don't you go along with it and everyone gets a little more out of the deal.

The word remains in modern usage in the phrase to be hoist by one's own petard, which means "to be harmed by one's own plan to harm someone else" or "to fall in one's own trap", literally implying that one could be lifted up (hoisted, or blown upward) by one's own bomb. Shakespeare used the now proverbial phrase in Hamlet.

Id be gunning for an explosive combo guard as well. There are many serviceable points, some teams are 4 deep, but very few Kobes and Wade's. Having a solid 2-3 that can shoot and score in droves and a mid level point is a better target to shoot for with the makeup of the rest of the team.

LA times is saying the Clippers want Calderon, and Q Ross is probably gone, which is great. I wonder what he's asking for?

"The Clippers are far apart in their negotiations with free agent Quinton Ross, lessening the odds that the guard will resign with the team. Ross recently parted ways with agent Henry Thomas, who also represents Shaun Livingston."

That is the best news I have heard re the Clippers in forever. Calderon is awesome, simply the best fit for the Clippers, and Ross . . . well you know, don't give yer Dunce that option. I think the reality of the Livy situation is sinking in. Calderon would be a terrific "piece" as the Dunce likes to say. If the Clips want to make the playoffs next year they can't hope for some rookie PG to lead them. It's time to act.

I would love Calderon but I don't see any way that Toronto lets him go. The tricky thing about getting free agents is they actually have to want to come here. Probably why we don't have a shot at Gilbert. Probably why we don't have a shot at Calderon.

I wonder if we could sign and trade Maggette for Calderon and their draft pick. I love Brand to death, but I think we would have to at least consider a deal like Miami's #2 pick plus Haslem (and their next year pick maybe) for Brand. A starting 5 of Calderon, Beasley, Westbrook/Gordon, Kaman, and Thornton would at least be exciting to watch.

I think any trade that includes Elton Brand is a no for me... his contract is too massive for any team other than Memphis at this point, and he has continuously stated that he wants to return to the Clips. Also, we still haven't seen Brand/Kaman together. Remember this team could have made it to the finals two years ago when healthy. Yes the Western Conference is extremely competitive now, but many teams are still in the process of rebuilding (IE Minnesota/Seattle/Memphis) or breaking apart (IE Denver/Dallas/Phoenix). Don't jump ship on the roster yet... When it's healthy we can expect a good result.

I'm neutral on Dunleavy, but we'll most likely not see our rookie get immediate action because of his coaching style. The roster as it stands isn't meant for small ball and I hope it continues to be defense-based (Defense = Winning > Flashy play in my opinion). EB was a BIG part of our offense, and of course offensive numbers will be poor with the best player gone. So, as it stands, we need a rookie that will be coachable and willing to wait for his time. Thornton was patient and played magnificently as the season passed because he had a good work ethic, listened to MDsr, and didn't pull any Joakim Noah crap. (The athleticism didn't hurt either).

I guess all I'm saying is we need to be careful with who we're going to pick. Take account for character and work ethic along with all the measurements, talent, and skill.

Also, in all honesty I'd like to see EB's #42 raised up in Staples Center one day.

Anybody see that Gilbert Arenas crap, er, I mean rumor in the Post. That the Clips are gonna make another run at him? Well they better find a third team, because the Wiz aren't gonna do a sign and trade with Mags...

MC, I want to see EB return to the Clips as well, but you have to understand that this is EB's sole shot at free agency while in the prime of his career.

Given this, and given the Clips perpetual ineptitude, no fan of EB's should be upset if he does decide to bolt town for a chance to compete for a ring with a team that actually has a shot at doing so.

Commenting that the Clips could have made it to the Finals two years ago is laughable cause they lost to a PHX team that dressed 7 guys, and played 6 basically..and one of them was T2. If MD and the Clips couldn't figure out a way to win that series, it's more than a stretch to say that they could have made the finals that year. It's also worth pointing out that they tanked a couple games in order to face Denver not Dallas in the first round that year. Hell, I would have done the same thing cause Denver was a mess and Dallas was playing well and would have been a tough matchup for the Clips in the first round that year. Given this, I don't see how anyone could say that the Clips could have made the Finals that year. That's the same mis-guided logic that MD used to get himself a contract extension and why the Clips are mired in such a fine mess again today.

You guys don't think that Miami would do that trade do you? Brand for Marion straight up yes, but the #2 pick included? Brand is coming off a major surgery and is almost 30 years old. Beasley and Rose are both freaks. I don't think there is any way that Miami moves out of the two spot, although it is nice to dream about.

Let's face it guys, we're going to draft Gallanari who won't contribute, piss away Brand's last few years before his eventual decline, and be in no position salary wise to do anything.

I like the optimism, but trusting Elgin to pull off moves like the ones were talking about is unrealistic at best.

06/14/08 05:28:02

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